Dentistry From The Heart a success, thanks to volunteersFebruary 5th, 2011
Iron Mountain - A special event entered it’s fifth year at the John Fornetti Center with the goal to provide dental care for those in need. Dentistry From the Heart was hosted for the fourth year in a row by Dr. John Fornetti. People attending the event were able to choose from a filling, extraction, or cleaning that day and by the end of the day 109 guests were seen and over $30,000 worth of donated dental treatment was provided.
Dentistry From the Heart is a nationwide non-profit organization that provides dental care to those who need it. Each year dentists from around the country donate their time and services to help those in need. This organization started in 2001, and has seen great results since then.
This year, a team of more than 50 volunteers, five doctors and countless businesses helped make Dentistry From the Heart a success. The event is organized as first come, first serve for people 18 years of age and older. An early arrival is encouraged. Last year people began lining up for the event at 1 p.m. the day before, a spokesperson said.
“I am hopeful that this event grows throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and goes beyond dentistry,” Dr. Fornetti said. A local pharmacy, The Drug Store, came forward and offered to donate all the prescriptions. “I am optimistic that we can turn this day from free dentistry to free healthcare.” Dr. Fornetti added.
A woman from Neenah, Wisconsin expressed her thanks after driving 136 miles to Dentistry From the Heart in 2009. She was able to get her tooth examined and treated by a professional dentist saving her more than $240.
The Dentistry from the Heart event took place at 1115 S. Hemlock St. at the Fornetti Dental Center. Doors opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 3 p.m. The goal of the doctors and volunteers was to help as many people as possible.
For more information on the national event, see dentistryfromtheheart.org.
